Chapter 1

In the previous life, at a family party.

My clan needed to arrange a marriage, and my brother asked me whom I wanted to choose.

Without hesitation, I picked Peter Grant, the laid-back boy next door.

However, after our wedding, he kept his ties with his first love, and they even had a child together.

Facing the teasing from his friends, he sneered, "Vivian's the biggest clinger ever. No matter what I do, she won't leave me."

My heart finally broke, and I turned around to leave.

But then, I got into a car accident on the highway, resulting in both my death and that of my unborn child.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back at the party where it all began.

*****

"Vivian, have you made up your mind yet?" My brother, William Winters, asked softly.

I stood there shaking, still finding it hard to believe this whole reincarnation thing was actually happening to me.

Before I could get a word out, Grace Grant stepped up and held out the Grant family's heirloom bracelet.

She gave a warm smile, saying, "Vivian will surely choose our Peter. After all, you two grew up together, and no one else could ever come close."

"Mom, seriously, are you tipsy already? Who on earth would want to marry Vivian? She can't study, she's short, and her looks are nothing special. Marrying her would ruin the Grant family's genes," Peter sneered.

He shot me a glare, with clear disgust flickering in his eyes.

Just like in my previous life, his tongue was just as vicious as ever.

In the past, I always thought it was just the way we bickered growing up. But now, I finally realize that Peter really did despise me.

Reality hit me, and I quickly stepped back two paces.

"Mrs. Grant, Peter and I are just friends," I said, keeping my voice steady.

As soon as I said that, the whole room went dead silent.

Everyone knew the Winter family and the Grant family had been close for generations.

And everyone also knew I'd had a crush on Peter since we were kids.

Grace's face went rigid for a moment. She quickly looked away from me and gave Peter a hard pat on the shoulder.

Grace said, "What nonsense are you spouting? If our family gets to marry Vivian, it'd be the luckiest blessing we could ever hope for."

Peter looked genuinely stunned by what I said, his already cold face turning even icier.

I clutched William's suit, my eyes red as I whispered. "I'm not feeling well. I just want to go home."

There was no need to rush the whole marriage thing.

William started to signal someone to take me home.

But before he could, Peter abruptly grabbed my hand and yanked me toward the door.

His voice cold, he said, "William, I'll take Vivian home."

He grabbed my hand and held on so tight, it was impossible to pull free.

I wanted to call out for help, but when I looked back, Grace had already stepped between William and me, making sure he couldn't get to me.

We went outside the hotel.

Peter immediately shoved my hand away without a second thought.

I lost my balance in my heels and instinctively reached out toward him to steady myself.

Peter was caught off guard, and for an instant, reached out as if to grab me.

But I pulled my hand back fast and landed hard on my butt.

A sharp pain shot straight to my head, and I winced, my face scrunching up in pain.

Peter's face darkened, and he quickly stepped forward, reaching out to help me up.

I didn't hesitate and cut him off, saying, "Don't come near me."

After steadying myself, I slipped off my heels and pushed myself up from the ground with both hands.

All this made Peter's face turn pitch-black. He shot me a contemptuous look and snapped, "What's this little act? Trying to play hard to get now? Vivian, since when did your tricks get so damn repulsive?"

My eyes stinging with tears, I hadn't even realized they were there.

"Peter," I murmured, voice trembling.

There were so many things I wanted to say.

When I saw all that disgust staring back at me, it was like a thorn lodged in my throat. I couldn't get a single word out.

I chuckled to myself, not waiting for him to say anything. I tossed my pricey high heels on the ground and turned around to leave without a second thought, my bare feet stepping firmly on the floor.

Those heels were a gift from Peter on my coming-of-age day.

Grace told me he'd spent ages picking them out just for me.

Knowing how important this party was, I purposely chose these shoes for tonight.

But I had forgotten that these shoes were a size too big. They didn't belong to me.

I had also realized something else. If someone wasn't the right fit, they would never truly belong.